The veteran 68-year-old actress would love to work with her fellow British screen icon because her one career regret is that she hasn't been able to star opposite some of the best actresses of her generation.

She explained: "There are so many great directors and actors that I'd still like to work with, I don't know where to start. It's one of the regrets of the year I was born into that I had so little opportunity to work with actresses, with the wonderful exception of 'Calendar Girls'.

"I'd still really love to work with Maggie Smith. And as for directors I'd love to work with Quentin Tarantino or Martin Scorsese."

Helen didn't hesitate when she was asked about her ideal male co-stars, replying: "Oh, Christian Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio, and that's just for starters!"

The Oscar-winning 'The Queen' actress has been married to American director Taylor Hackford for 17 years and divides her time between London and Los Angeles and loves being in both cities.

She told Britain's GLAMOUR magazine: "I miss my family when I'm here because most of them live in LA. But I love the street life of London, the markets, the architecture and the weather. I really love the grey clouds of London!

"And of course the street fashion, especially school kids and what they do with their hair and uniforms."

Helen aspires to be cast in an historical biopic about Russia's longest-ruling female leader, Catherine the Great.

She enthused: "I'd love to play Catherine the Great of Russia. In an historically accurate version. Not least because I wouldn't have to diet!"